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30 August 2011

I've come to the realization that I'm a perfectionist. As I took these photos I kept thinking, oh wait, I wanted to make this, or change this, or add this and really hesitated taking the photos at all. But then I thought that if I don't take the photos now, who knows when I would feel like it was "complete", and with a baby coming, who knows when I would do the projects I wanted done. So. Here it is, my Never Enough Orange (NEO) Sewing Studio!

I covered both my giant antique desk and retro green kitchen table with the same white faux leather I used to cover my sewing bench and sewed some orange and white plaid bias around the edges. I took the knobs off the desk and spray painted some inexpensive ones, saving the old ones for fear that one day we'd take the desk to Antique's Roadshow and they would tell us, if only you had the original knobs, this would be worth 2 million dollars ;).

Now my fabric doesn't even get to reside in my Never Enough Orange Sewing Studio, but I do have most of my notions and other sewing supplies stored under the table in clear containers. I placed an orange sample of what they contain in the front instead of labeling them since little hands would most likely pull the labels off within a matter of minutes. Behind the drawers is our emergency water containers, so the drawers can't get pushed back very far.

I used a paper holder and plastic containers to store some of my supplies such as embroidery thread, beads, covered button supplies, and random odds and ends that I manage to collect. I would eventually like to replace this with a cool vintage miniature cupboard with lots of little drawers (orange, of course) but I haven't happened upon such a treasure as of yet. I also keep handy a few of my sewing reference books on the table for easy access.

Even though they might contain out of date (or uninteresting) projects, I really like the Reader's Digest books for Sewing and Needlework. They hold a huge amount of techniques that I browse through every once in a while when I need a refresher on something or to learn how to do something differently.

I kept killing my orange plants except for the succulents, so that's what I've finally stuck with (and those artificial flowers in the back). My markers, pens, and pencils are on the table top for easy access. Plus scissors. Never too many scissors.

My dad emailed me one day and told me I needed this vintage Florida beverage tray he found on Etsy. Being the obedient daughter that I am, I promptly ordered it and enjoy it with some of my favorite threads and yarns from Habu.

The play kitchen had a makeover as well with some spray paint and wrapping paper as the backsplash. It was a lot more involved than I thought, but worth it. Azure and Clover love this little kitchen and I love to be served their little meals. The garbage can is just a wire basket that I covered with some oil cloth and taped with some decorative Japanese tape.

Where I slave away ;). I love how bright this room is. It makes for a happy seamstress. The painting was done by my dad and the felted floral vine I snatched up from ABC Carpet & Home in New York on our last visit. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, but I knew it needed to come home with me.

I filled a vase with glass pebbles to keep my much used supplies easily accessible: fabric scissors, fabric pens and pencils (separated from other types of pencils), and rulers.

In my mini Bisley drawers I keep more beads, needles and other odds and ends I use in my sewing projects.

The drawers in this desk are d e e p, perfect for storing my thread rainbow. Of course when someone accidentally pulls them all the way out, it makes for an annoying clean-up, but luckily that doesn't happen too frequently :).

One of the most beloved features is having my ironing board right next to my sewing machine plus a view of the kids playing in the backyard. Still loving my Reliable Iron.

And did you notice my new baby of the plug-in variety? Yes. I'm spoiled. Bernina is closing out their 400 series and so she came home with me for my birthday. She's a beaut. What should I name her? Her little sister won't be going anywhere, but turned into the sewing machine for my girls so we don't have to argue about who took my thread out of here?!

View from the desk: This is where all the art supplies and games are kept.

I feel spoiled but very grateful to have a dedicated space for creating after 11 years of marriage, but for those who just have the kitchen table or a corner of a room, it doesn't mean your sewing is limited, you just have to get more creative. We've always had limited space in our petite apartments and houses, but that hasn't stopped me from sewing where and when I can. I once sewed an apron on the floor of a closet. Where's the strangest place you've sewn?

There you have it! Of course I will continue to share the projects I complete to make it even more orange-y orange :).

I have never really cared for the color orange but you have made me LOVE it!!! I am so jealous of all those windows! I love that you have the play kitchen in your studio... I have a little coloring station set up in mine so my girls can be creative while I am :)

Oh I just love it! You've done an amazing job making this space not just your own, but one that the kidlets will be able to join you in. I especially love all the windows/natural light! Ohhhh you give me something to aspire to. Lovely job, just lovely.

Gorgeous...love all the light.I often feel guilty of having my very own room to myself now (took me 10yrs to get it. I just remind myself of the times I crammed my machine at one end of the kitchen table while the boys ate at the other end. The worst place: sewing in the bathroom once. We were in a 2 bdrm temporary apt with 3 boys, 2 dogs for 6 months.

what a dream space and how nice that it includes kid stuff. You can all be working and playing TOGETHER =) (I've been checking your blog diligently to see if you've had your baby. I'm past due as well...)

I am a "hogger of the kitchen table" sewer. Someday I will get my own room! I never put my machine and serger away (unless we have company for dinner) so it is always ready and waiting. I recovered my first baby's carseat sitting on the couch with my sewing machine sitting on a very small and low coffee table in a tiny apartment! Love the family picture on the beach of everyone in white and what else, orange!

It's just so perfect! NOW the baby can come. I once took "Little Shop Of Horrors" on the road (drew the short stick while working in the costume shop), and the outdoor ampitheater flooded. Luckily my costumes were on racks, but I had to fix seams by hand while sitting up on cabinets with a half of foot of water on the ground.

What a fun sunny room. I think one color really unifies a space (albeit a small space) and makes it look so much happier. Definitely something I've learned today.PS: I think if you have a baby girl you should name your sewing machine a boy name like Roger. "I think I'll go spend some time with Roger."

Being a lover of orange myself, I think you missed one opportunity to orangify your room. The while ceiling fan needs to be painted orange, or at least the blades. It would look fantastic. Happy sewing.

Oh my goodness.... so beautiful!!! I'm also very excited because I own the "New Complete Guide to Sewing" as well. Maybe, one day, I'll be using it to make as beautiful clothing for my little ones as you do yours. Enjoy the space! Oh, yeah... one more thing, can I come over? :)

I love it. I love the simplicity, and the fun little details. I am remodeling a small "office," that will be my craft room. I'm loving some of your ideas. (except, I can't decide on just ONE color!) :) I laughed when I read you've sewn on the floor too! I had to about a year ago when I'd just moved in and had to finish up some headbands for my sister in laws birthday present before I had time to set the machine on a table! :)

Looks great! I often sew on my dresser top. I have a little built in corner desk where I can do small things, but there are so many other things there I can't really do big projects. And I pretty much always pin/lay things out on my bed, so it makes sense to sew on the dresser. I used to sew on our dining room table, but since I do my sewing late at night and it's now adjacent to my two-year-old's room, that's out. I do my best, but I do dream of someday having a dedicated space!

wow, the natural light alone makes this the best studio ever. i commented yesterday that i have a orange couch (a real pleather orange couch from a 1970s decorating spree). i also have a antique desk very similar to yours. the drawers (mine has those pully out things on each side too) are deep and wonderful. believe it or not i also have a table just like yours, mine is a funky green plus the comfy chairs. i think your tablecloth/topper is brilliant, i must make one of those guys. this is too loong, sorry. my first sewing machine was in a cabinet with a flip out table top, had it in my daughter's (a toddler then) play room. once i was intense in my sewing, not paying close attention to her, whoops! she had climbed from the chair onto the sewing machine table....tilting, tilting, tilting!!! labor day is right around the corner :>)

LOVE the letters! The strangest place I've ever sewn was on the floor of my apartment, in the middle of moving. I was making costumes for a musical, and because of some bad timing issues, ended up having to work on everything while also trying to pack boxes and move. After I'd moved into my new place, I had to finish sewing on the floor because my deadline was so tight I couldn't even wait to get my table put back together. I had to wait two days to unpack so that I could finish the costumes.

This turned out incredibly fantastic! I am just loving all of your little touches and vintage pieces. I've never really been an orange person, but you might have inspired me to give it a shot in some upcoming projects :)

my first apt in NYC was studio that i shared with my boyfriend (now husband) It was approximately 300sqr ft and had 18in of counter space in the kitchen. I'd make sure the dishes were done and the sink was clean and dry. Standing in the kitchen with my foot pedal on the floor, i'd sew my fashion school projects while my work fell off the machine and into the sink

Wow, what a fantastic creative space!!! Love all the orange accents and the fact that you can watch the children play in the backyard with all those fabulous windows!!!! Ideal!

The strangest place I've sewn anything is in a hotel room. I am a scrapbooker/card-maker and my best friend and I managed a girl's weekend away to scrapbook. We rented a hotel room and did a bit of shopping, but mostly creating. We often use our sewing machines in our projects, so we brought one along. In addition to sewing on the cards we made, we managed to get the dust covers for both our machines done, a project we had been wanting to get done for ages. It was a fab weekend!

I started reading your blog because of NEO! Orange is my current favorite color, and I'm dying over your sewing space--love it. I'm especially swooning over the alphabet letters. And the windows--oh the windows! So open, so pretty.

Great space, I'm so Jealous! I am a samurai sewer, having sewn in the lobby of both girl's dorms (midnight pajama pant mania!) and the boy's dorm (when I lost my mind and helped them make 32 kilts). I have sewn from the passenger seat of my 68 VW Beetle (with a cigarette adapter!) and on the floor, bed and hallway in my own Dorm. I have always dreamed of sewing outside, but guess that's not terribly practical.

What a lovely creative space. I'm slightly jealous of all that light! I'm a corner of a room seamstress but that is already a step up for me so I count my blessings. I have the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework book too and even though it's old like you said, it's a great reference!

Love your sewing room. Especially love how bright it is, and the orange is great. know you must of had lots of fun planning and creating!! The desk is great, and to have Ryan's picture right there, neat thought!! Thanks for sharing!

i'm so jealous of the feeling you must have of everything in its right place! yes, there will always be more to do to make it the perfect space, but i'm already just so jealous of the insane organization!

thank you for the grand tour. so many wonderful ideas you've so graciously shared! may your deeds be as graciously rewarded with a smooth + delightful labor and delivery!

Hi Katy, yes, you truly are blessed. Hope the next one is a boy just to mixed it up some. Wouldn't those girls spoil him if it was. They'll spoil anyway.I"m following you now and hope you'll follow on mine too. Helps me to stay in touch.Blessings, Coleen in UkraineAmerican missionary artist

Hi...just found you over at Taylor Made. Love your sewing room. I just added my link to the party too. Seems like we have similar rooms...is yours on a porch too. My room is a three season porch. It has thermal windows, but no heat out there! I'm thankful for my space heater in the winter!Absolutely love the orange!!!Take care,Karen

What a lovely space! I just stopped over from Taylor Made. So many great ideas you have! I am currently trying to figure out how to combine my sewing that is in the basement and my scrapbook which is upstairs in a little room off the Master Bedroom. You have such a wonderful room!